Fine Wine: Low prices, plenty of whimsy at Big House

It is nice to encounter wine companies that do not take themselves too seriously.

For example, consider Big House Wine Co. Their wines are self-explanatory: Big House Red, Big House Pink and Big House White.

The screw-capped bottles each have a whimsical label showing a jail. Winemaker Georgetta Dane uses the title “Warden” interchangeably with “Winemaker.”

Given this description and the $10 price tag, one would expect the wines to be simple and forgettable. Happily, that is not the case.

Big House wines are adventuresome blends that offer a lot of enjoyment for the price.

Big House Red 2007 is a Mediterranean-style blend of 16 different grape varieties, with significant dollops of syrah (20 percent) and sangiovese (13 percent). This is a classic “pizza wine” with food-friendly acidity and an exuberant fruitiness.

Cherry flavors dominate this easy-drinking sipper, and black pepper notes accent the smooth finish. In addition to pizza, good pairings include tomato-sauced pastas and grilled meats.

Big House Pink 2008 is another Mediterranean-style blend, made in the dry rosé style associated with Southern France. Dominated by syrah (42.5 percent), this wine has fresh strawberry flavors and enough zest to stand up to barbecue and spicy foods.